Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour; 0.5 tsp Black Pepper; 0.5 tsp Garlic Salt; 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese; 1 cup Heavy Cream; 1 cup Milk; 0.25 tsp Onion Powder; 1 cup Panko; 0.5 tsp Salt; 4 tbsp Salted Butter; 12 oz Shell Pasta; 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese; 1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese; 0.25 tsp Taco Seasoning

Side Dish 🥗Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 American High-Protein 💪Sugar-Free Vegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Comfort-Food Pescatarian 🐟

Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese pairs tender shell pasta with a rich, ultra-cheesy sauce and a well-seasoned panko topping that bakes up golden and crunchy. It’s a comforting dish with bold cheddar flavor, a hint of savory spice, and a satisfying contrast of creamy and crisp—perfect as a cozy main or a crowd-pleasing side for weeknights or gatherings.

Prep10 mins
Cook1 hr 5 mins
Serves8
DifficultyEasy

1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly firm, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3

Heat an oven-safe Dutch oven over medium heat. Melt butter and flour together in the hot pot, stirring, until combined; pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly, until the mixture reaches a boil. Keep it boiling, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low; continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
4

Gradually fold in the cheeses until melted and smooth. You may raise the heat if needed, but keep stirring whenever the heat is on. Fold in the cooked pasta until it is coated with the cheese.
5

Mix panko bread crumbs, salt, garlic salt, black pepper, onion powder, and taco seasoning in a bowl. Sprinkle the macaroni mixture with just enough of the bread crumbs to cover most of the surface; some pasta should still be visible beneath the crumbs.
6

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Turn on the oven's broiler and continue cooking until the crust is golden brown and crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes before serving.